Braced element



G. S. JACOBS BRAGED ELEMENT l July 6,1926. 1,591,215

' Filed April 23 1925 Patented July 6, 17926. I

UNITED STAT GEORGE S. JACOBS, 0F PONTI'AQVMIHIGAN.

BRACED ELEMENT.

Application led April 23, 1923. Serial No. 633,977.

' This invention relates to systems of bracing, and is particularlyuseful in connection with vehicle structures having spaced frame memberswhich are liable to distortion.

More specifically, this invention relates' to a system of bracingwherein spaced frame members are connected by a bracing struc.- tureengaging the frame members at four separated. points approximately inthe same plane, the bracing structure comprising means for connectingthe separated points of connection bya plurality of arches meeting atpoints separated from each other on a line substantially perpendicularto the plane of the four point-s of connection, the connecting membersbeing adapted to withstand stresses either of tension or of compression.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, strong, durable andinexpensive system of bracing spaced frame members which will hold theseframe members rigidly against distortion indifferent directions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bracing structurecapable of easy modification to suit varying conditions, and readilyadaptable for use with spaced frame members used for any purpose whererigid.- ity is desired'.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in 'connectionwith the following description,Y reference being had to the drawingforming a part of the specification, lin which- Figure 1 is a plan viewof a preferred embodiment of the invention; i

Fig. 2 is a vertical elevation of half of the structure shown in Fig. 1,the central connecting elements being in section on the line II-II ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention, and v Fig. 4is an end elevation thereof, the side spaced frame members being shownin sec-v tion.

While the structures illustrated vin the accompanying drawing areparticularly intended for use with vehicle frames, especial lyautomobile chassis for closed bodies, as a means for preventingdistortion, it will be understoodthat similar bracing structures may)advantageously vbe used with lmany other structures where it is desiredto brace parallel or substantially .parallel members to preventdistortion. v v

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the frame members l andZ may consistof chap,-

nel bars, and the brace members 3 may also consist of channel bars splitlongitudinally of the web for almost their entire length, an end of theweb being left solid to form an attaching portion 4 which may be securedto the web'5 of the channel members 1 or 2 as by rivets 6 or othersuitable securing means. For many structures, spot welding mayconveniently be used. The split por` tions'of the members 2 are bentapart angularly as shown in Fig. 2 tol form diver ent arms. The freeends of vall four mem ers forming a bracing unit, are arranged betweenthe members 1 and 2 so that the diagonally extendingA arms lie in twointersecting planes, each substantially at right angles .to the plane ofthe four points' of connection of the braces with the frame members. Anysuitable means may be used tohold the oposed ends of the bracejmembersin fixed reation to leach other. `As shown in Figs.-

1 and 2, the webs vand flanges of the brace members are bent adjacent totheir free ends. and a connecting late 7 is rigidly secured to eachmember ci) each oup of four adjacent ends, the plates ying on oppositesides of the plane passing through the four points of connection of thebraces to the members 1 and 2.

While the plates 7 are shown as substanlially equally distant from theplane passingr through the median line of the webs of the frame members1 and 2, it is evident that either the upper or lower plate may lienearer to this plane, in which case the divergent armsof the bracemembers will not be bent at equal angles to the terminal attachingortions 4. In all cases however, the plates or their equivalent meansfor lrigidly uniting the meeting ends of the brace members should lie onopposite sides of the plane passing through the four points ofconnection of the braces with the frame members.

Additional rigidity and strength may be secured by the luse of plates orother connecting means such as indicated at 8, the form shown in Fig.2consisting of flat metallic sheets cut to fit the tapering spacebetween the anges of the braces 3, and secured in place by rivets orother suitable means.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 sind 1, suitable castings or forgin 9are secured to the frame members 10 an 11 these mem bers 9 havingdivergiag cyiinrical armi-v nals 12 adapted to receive tubular bracemembers 13 which are joined to thecentral connecting pieces 14 uponsimilar cylindrical terminal portions 15. The tubing may be secured tothe members 9 or 14 by brazing, welding, or in any other suitableInanner as is common inthe construction of bicycle frames.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that many changes maybemade in the size, form, proportion, 'and details of construction of mybracing system without de parting from its principles 0r sacrificing anyof its advantages. The system is therefore claimed in any of itsembodiments within the full and Valid scope of the appended claim.

I claim z- In motor vehicle construction, a pair of 'horizontallydisposed spaced frame members, a bracing structure connected to theframe members at four points approximately in a `horizontal plane, thebracing structure having two disconnected points separated fromeachother on a line approximately perpendicular to the plane of the fourpoints, the bracing structure comprising split channel bars havingattaching portions forthe frame members and diverging split portionsextending towards the separate points on 'the line approximatelyperpendicular to the plane of said frame members, a plate connecting theends of the channel bars above the plane of said frame members, and a.,plate connecting the ends of the channell bars below the plane of Asaidframe members.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

GEORGE S. JACOBS.

